1/350 Scale Space Battleship Yamato by Hachette

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

This is a project I've been working on before I joined these forums, the very first partworks kit I got sucked into-I just had to get into it. Some background info: Space Battleship Yamato is a Japanese animated series that aired in 1974 and was translated in English for the Western audience five years later under the new name of Starblazers. It tells the story of the Yamato, a starship built from the carcass of the WWII battleship, and its crew whose mission is to go to the planet Iscandar to retrieve a device which could cleanse the Earth of radiation that was left from the bombing of another alien race. The story of the Yamato spawned several movies and reboots, with the latest one being Yamato 2199, released in 2012. Yamato 2199's story continues with Yamato 2202 (2017) and the upcoming 2205. This partworks kit is based on the Yamato's design from 2202, which doesn't really deviate too much from the original design from the 70's. Hachette's Yamato 2202 run is scheduled for 110 issues, with the current issue being #62. This is what the completed Yamato will look like:

358a20.JPG.jpg (113.1 KiB) Viewed 2075 times

This is where I am on this project, up to issue #55:

20200401_231810_copy_1328x747.jpg (231.47 KiB) Viewed 2075 times

All the panels are metal, so it's a heavy sumbitch.

#56 gives you one of the side torpedo tube openings and shows you what the typical fiber optic setup looks like for the lighting:

20200402_000419_copy_3209x2988_copy_802x747.jpg (154.1 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

#57 was a no build issue, it gives you a big motor for rotating one of the main guns. #58 gives you a red centerline panel and shows you how each panel is attached with its own metal bracket:

20200402_001539_copy_2332x2554_copy_583x638.jpg (120.13 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

This panel is attached to the previously shown panel with the torpedo tube openings:

20200402_002837_copy_1328x747.jpg (188.4 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

#59 is a big piece of the deck which will be the base for smaller AA guns. One of the previously assembled main guns is attached to this deck along with its motor from #57:

20200402_003233_copy_1328x747_copy_1247x725.jpg (161.64 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

#60 sets up a side panel that goes underneath the AA guns:

20200402_004748_copy_3383x2988_copy_845x746.jpg (110.59 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

That's all I got for now, but let me end with some tips that I wish I knew of before starting this build:

-Do get a long necked micro screwdriver, preferably with a magnetized tip. There are many times that a screw will have to be buried in deep, narrow spots to secure the panels.

-Long tweezers with bent curved tips come in handy when installing lighting parts.

-Pay attention to the length of the optic fibers. So far a few issues have fibers of different lengths, and it was easy to overlook which one is needed for a specific step.

[booth]

Thank you, I am looking forward to your build. Its looks to be a superb model
Well done

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Thank you, I am looking forward to your build. Its looks to be a superb model
Well done

Thanks, so far it IS a superb model!

The Covid months have left a huge amount of my issues languishing overseas, but now they're here, so onwards we go!

#61 allows one secondary gun battery to be completed and provides fiber optic cable. There are two pairs of cable, supposedly one 35 cm in length, and the other is 30 cm. I had to measure each pair and make sure I used them in the right steps.

20200927_235741_copy_1066x747.jpg (170.73 KiB) Viewed 1248 times

My cable pairs actually measure at 25 cm and 19 cm. I used the longer pair for the appropriate step. I'm hoping this won't be a spot of trouble later.

I don't think I mentioned it before, but the circular bits that get illuminated by the cables are mega tiny and easy to lose. I highly recommend tweezers and a light hand when fitting them onto the hull parts.

#62: Not much here, just a motor for the gun battery from the previous issue:

20200928_010816_copy_1328x747.jpg (215.63 KiB) Viewed 1246 times

#63: Starboard torpedo tube ports to be attached to a hull piece from #60. Also a magnet for the winglets (not provided yet).

20200928_012513_copy_1328x747.jpg (232.47 KiB) Viewed 1246 times

#64: A no- build issue: just a gear and a big motor.

#65: Parts to complete the torpedo tube ports from #63 and adds lighting to the assembly:

20200928_014624_copy_1094x746.jpg (185.34 KiB) Viewed 1244 times

This step had a few annoying factors going on:
1). Tiny lighting lenses
2). Optic cables of three different lengths
3). A magnet strong enough to attract the tiny screws you're trying to drill home.
4). Used parts from previous issues that I completely forgot about. Tiny parts.
5). More tiny parts to lay aside for who knows how long.
Despite this, it all went swimmingly:

20200928_023212_copy_1328x747.jpg (187.03 KiB) Viewed 1244 times

#66: Adds the bottom half of the assembly from #63:

20200928_030152_copy_1174x747.jpg (154.16 KiB) Viewed 1244 times

20200928_030859_copy_1328x747.jpg (147.88 KiB) Viewed 1244 times

#67: Lighting cables and bulbous structures for the bottom half of the hull are given. Also an actual LED for an ejection port of some sort on the port side is provided:

20200928_155255_copy_1209x747.jpg (171.93 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

A lens from issue 65 was taken from its sprue here, and there are two different screw sizes to take note of. The tiny ejection port door is not on any secure hinge. It's secured and pivots by friction alone from two raised points on the upper edge. It'll stay on its own for display purposes, but I removed it for now because I fear I'll lose it during assembly. The are actually several parts like this that I set aside like the anchors and torpedo tube doors on the bow.

20200928_161753_copy_1328x747.jpg (185.55 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

On a side note, this was the first issue I ran into that didn't have any illustrations or articles from the show. Instead, I get an ad for the Blu Ray release of the anime-kinda lame.

#68: This looks like a bottom centerline panel with one lighting point-an easy step:

20200928_164929_copy_1328x747.jpg (162.46 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

The last clear lens from #65 was used and left an empty sprue.

[steve131]

Looking good so far, hull looks similar to Hachette Bismarck but better fit . Enjoying this build.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Looking good so far, hull looks similar to Hachette Bismarck but better fit . Enjoying this build.

Thanks, steve. That Bismarck is a beast as well. Hachette must be enamoured with it having released two models of it.

#69: More bulbous structures for the bottom half of the hull, and another LED that mirrors the one from issue 67:

20200928_170105_copy_1328x747.jpg (190.87 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

#70: Parts that set up the mechanism for the torpedo tube port doors are given. A few small parts are left over for later steps.

20200928_185203_copy_1328x747.jpg (198.66 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

20200928_190219_copy_1328x747.jpg (223.05 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

#71 Not a lot of parts here, just three sizes of screws and a motor for the torpedo tube doors:

20200928_193340_copy_1328x747.jpg (228.43 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

The difficulty level ramps up a bit for the assembly involved. The panels assembled from the past recent issues come together, and the small parts and metal tension cable from #70 come into play to mount a motor:

20200928_202630_copy_1328x747.jpg (240.66 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

Snaking the tension cable through the right spots and installing the stops on each end proved to be a pain. Magnetized, long necked screwdrivers made assembling the finished result a breeze:

20200928_203326_copy_952x746.jpg (161.91 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

#72: Gives you parts for the underside fin and the base for the secondary bridge:

20200928_225817_copy_1115x747.jpg (159.94 KiB) Viewed 1228 times

Just don't be a dummy like me and almost glue the fin backwards.

20200928_232513_copy_839x690.jpg (119.31 KiB) Viewed 1228 times

A small tip regarding the optic cables (SL and ACL): it will make things easier later on to direct those cables to go underneath the red plastic motor mount and point them towards the rear of the model.

#73 is the top portion of the second bridge and its lighting:

20200929_011423_copy_1328x747.jpg (164.91 KiB) Viewed 1227 times

#74 Works on the interior of the second bridge with parts left over for later. Also included are what look to be braces for the stands to hold up the partially assembled Yamato. It still looked precarious to me so I just left mine on its side.

20200929_013820_copy_1328x747.jpg (194.57 KiB) Viewed 1224 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#75 is quite an intricate step. You'll find interior parts for the second bridge and a walkway ramp. Note the etched handrail parts. Yeah, this is gonna be fun.

20200929_022015_copy_1328x747.jpg (239.47 KiB) Viewed 1213 times

The holes where the handrails go are not uniform in depth. I had to line them up as best as I could:

20200929_030902_copy_2885x2689_copy_721x672.jpg (64.29 KiB) Viewed 1213 times

The assemblies from #72 and #74 come together:

20200929_033324_copy_857x747.jpg (106.46 KiB) Viewed 1212 times

The ramp was tedious to put together. Not only because of those handrails, but there are also two piston-like shafts that have to be lined up at the same time when the parts come together. If all goes well, the ramp comes down when a tension cable is pulled upward:

20200929_040308_copy_788x641.jpg (83 KiB) Viewed 1212 times

The finished cross section. Can't wait to clean up all those wires and optic cables:

20200929_125519_copy_758x747.jpg (139.71 KiB) Viewed 1212 times

#76 installs the motor and lever for the cable that opens the loading ramp using parts left over from #75:

20200929_160541_copy_1237x747.jpg (207.5 KiB) Viewed 1204 times

I suggest threading the tension cable through the two parts (the gray spindle and the mount) and putting them together inside the hull. There is so little maneuvering room to thread that cable otherwise. It sure is getting messy in there:

20200929_200455_copy_1328x747.jpg (183.81 KiB) Viewed 1204 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#77: Steps like these are an ordeal, but oh so satisfying in the end. Pictured is one of the LED modules that illuminate all the fiber optic cables that run all over the hull:

20200929_210122_copy_1298x747.jpg (223.15 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

The cables are grouped in clusters of four and tapered down into a two part plug:

20200929_232146_copy_596x598.jpg (112.22 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

The excess cable lengths are cut, then the plug is inserted into a specific LED module cavity. You have to make sure you have enough slack to finagle the plug into the module. The instructions say to cut 1.5 cm of excess cable to make this happen. With my ham hands, it's already difficult as it is to manipulate parts in that hull interior, so I recommend cutting even less than 1.5 cm to give yourself more flexibility in optic cable management.

Coercing the cables to go in a specific direction was made difficult by the fact that I just didn't want to break anything. I always had to find a good hand hold where I wasn't applying force to the secondary bridge or the underside fin. Getting the wires from other parts out of the way will clear the space up, but take care with the circuit boards: those solder points can be weak.

I recommend grouping and plugging the orange flagged "ACL" cables first. Plugging in the white flagged "SL" cables first will give you less room for the ACL cables to be plugged in:

20200929_231901_copy_1065x747.jpg (148.75 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

It's certainly a lot less chaotic in there now:

20200929_232749_copy_1033x747.jpg (184.49 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

#78 gives parts and three different screw sizes to assemble the base of the AA guns:

20200930_005027_copy_724x581.jpg (94.78 KiB) Viewed 1196 times

Do not drive the screws in this step too deep:

20200930_014450_copy_632x730.jpg (69.82 KiB) Viewed 1196 times

If they get in too tightly, the control arms won't swing easily. I don't know how strong the motor will be for this mechanism, but I erred on the side of caution and kept the screws loose enough so the arms don't come out of place.

Putting the plates in order took a bit of trial and error in making sure all the posts and pegs all lined up. If all goes well, sliding the bottom plate forward and back should rotate ALL the posts.

20200930_014358_001_copy_1328x747.jpg (133.15 KiB) Viewed 1196 times

#79 is all about the turrets for the AA gun deck:

20200930_164131_copy_1209x747.jpg (174.28 KiB) Viewed 1187 times

Only four are attached to the deck from issue #59. It looks like they won't be attached to the base assembled in the previous issue:

20200930_170539_copy_1094x704.jpg (116.65 KiB) Viewed 1187 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#80 provides the motor that will rotate the AA guns:

20200930_173321_copy_617x584.jpg (57.43 KiB) Viewed 1184 times

The big gear and mounting plate from #78 were used. I figure this was the last chance to make sure the posts and control plate from #78 were working like they should before getting held in a fixed position by the main gear. Before securing the motor, the gear has to be fixed in this position:

20200930_174446_copy_660x677.jpg (58.71 KiB) Viewed 1184 times

The instructions point out that the peg on the main gear has to be inserted into the slot on the control plate when securing the motor:

20200930_180113_copy_756x532.jpg (57.22 KiB) Viewed 1184 times

Make sure the motor mounting plate is oriented correctly when attaching it to the assembly from #78:

20200930_181110_copy_743x674.jpg (75.1 KiB) Viewed 1184 times

#81 unfortunately did not continue with the AA gun deck as I hoped. It gave another set of AA turrets and one winglet:

20200930_184800_copy_1080x492.jpg (104.75 KiB) Viewed 1182 times

Gluing the magnets is the only assembly step here. Each magnet has an "S" printed on one of its surfaces. The "S" has to pointed in a specific direction for each magnet when gluing them to the winglet, as shown by the red arrows:

20200930_191639.jpg (193.18 KiB) Viewed 1182 times

#82 gives parts for the other winglet and screws to attach the cross section that's been coming together since #56:

20200930_194206_copy_1068x411.jpg (83.79 KiB) Viewed 1179 times

It was not an easy task to get that cross section screwed together:

20200930_224613_copy_1144x672.jpg (145.2 KiB) Viewed 1179 times

It gets so heavy trying to find a position to drive screws while not breaking any exterior parts. If someone walked in on me while I was putting it together, I imagine it would look like I was playing a weird looking cello.

#83 gives parts to complete the remaining winglet, provides pieces of the AA gun deck, and allows me to partially assemble the vertical missile launcher (which on the real Yamato was a smokestack):

20200930_231052_copy_798x614.jpg (89.06 KiB) Viewed 1179 times

I guess I was expecting a little too much in hoping that the missile launcher would have a gimmick in opening up and showing ordnance inside. Instead, I get a choice of launcher top lids, one with closed silo doors and the other showing open silo doors with minimal detail.

I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that all the magnets that I installed up until now were oriented correctly- the winglets hold on well:

20200930_235346_copy_2124x1195.jpg (352.28 KiB) Viewed 1179 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

It's gonna be a hell of a time trying to work in there:

20201001_002140_copy_2124x1195.jpg (460.87 KiB) Viewed 1178 times

With that, I'm all out of parts for now. 27 more issues to go!

[steve131]

Wow that was some hard work but worth it looking good.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Wow that was some hard work but worth it looking good.

It sure was, and it certainly has been a fun build.

There is still a solid 1/3 of the ship left to go with only 27 issues left-this will be interesting.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Alright, onwards and upwards-now starting at #84!

#84 is lengthy step that deals with the assembly of the AAA gun section and the smokestack:

20210208_203700.jpg (448.44 KiB) Viewed 212 times

There is a LED board in the smokestack which will need some delicate handling. The power supply cables will have to be bent downwards, which may force the glue holding them onto the board to break:

20210208_211423.jpg (231.37 KiB) Viewed 212 times

The gray AAA gun base from #78 was screwed onto the deck:

20210208_222740.jpg (334.8 KiB) Viewed 212 times

The turrets labeled as D on the sprues from #79 were assembled. Each turret has a central post piece that has to be glued in a specific orientation:

20210208_223639.jpg (225.54 KiB) Viewed 212 times

#79's C type turrets were also assembled. All the C and D turrets plus a deck piece from #83 came together onto the main deck:

20210209_000022.jpg (335.55 KiB) Viewed 212 times

#85 proved to be a finnicky step. First, the A and B type AAA guns from #81 were assembled:

20210209_010620.jpg (294.85 KiB) Viewed 209 times

These turrets were attached to the AAA gun deck, and so were a couple of breadbox-shaped structures. Next, the main bridge/tower assembly all the way from #46 was secured onto the deck. This was a little troublesome since the optic and power cables for the lighting in that structure had bunched at the bottom and had to be rearranged so I could secure the tower on the deck. The gun battery from #61 was installed, and its motors from #62 and #64 were also attached beneath the deck:

20210209_034826.jpg (184.84 KiB) Viewed 209 times

The new parts for #85 include antennas which are glued onto a deck part from #84. Conveniently, the optic cables for these parts are pre-installed, the excess just needed to be cut off from the edges:

20210209_042739.jpg (402.92 KiB) Viewed 209 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#86 - Three screw sizes and lots of small parts added up to another lengthy step devoted to the central deck:

20210210_010707.jpg (412.97 KiB) Viewed 190 times

Construction of these missile batteries (I think that's what they are) proved to be the hardest part of this step:

20210210_011618.jpg (364.75 KiB) Viewed 190 times

Eight AAA gun turrets were assembled. Two of those turrets and the missile batteries were attached to the antenna assembly from #85:

20210210_015308.jpg (231.9 KiB) Viewed 190 times

Another cannon battery was assembled. The remaining AAA turrets, the cannon battery, the antenna assembly, and the completed smokestack from #84 were all secured onto the central deck. Snaking all the wiring from the smokestack through a small square hole on the deck was made easier by tightly grouping the wires using masking tape:

20210210_022928.jpg (409.53 KiB) Viewed 190 times

#87 begins assembly of the rear of the ship, starting with the upper deck and its lighting. All the parts were in plastic baggies this time instead of the clear trays:

20210210_171635.jpg (458.9 KiB) Viewed 180 times

I had sort of a heart stopping moment when I dropped a 1mm clear lens on the floor. I almost gave up on finding it, but after 15 minutes, I found it. I wish spare lenses were given just like the metal screws and washers. Aside from that, #87 was a simple step:

20210210_175815.jpg (237.04 KiB) Viewed 180 times

#88 provides the motor for the cannon battery installed in #86. And now the plastic trays are back, how odd:

20210210_202549.jpg (212.23 KiB) Viewed 178 times

Of note are two different screw shapes used in this step. The hardest part here was finding a good hand hold when screwing in the motor underneath the central deck assembly. I'm always nervous about breaking gun barrels on the previously attached AAA gun turrets:

20210210_203821.jpg (411.84 KiB) Viewed 178 times

#89 was no build issue, it just provided the motor for rotation of the cannon battery from #86:

20210210_210501.jpg (191.35 KiB) Viewed 176 times

#90 had me assembling one of the three shock cannon batteries, and not much else:

20210210_211939.jpg (225.52 KiB) Viewed 175 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#91 gave more parts for the shock cannon battery from #90 and motor casing halves for a future issue:

20210210_213348.jpg (228.66 KiB) Viewed 175 times

The cannon battery was secured onto the rear deck from #87. The power cables for the LEDS in the shock cannon are snaked through a rotation gear as shown below:

20210210_220010.jpg (329.88 KiB) Viewed 175 times

#92 only gave the motor regulating cannon barrel elevation for the battery from #90, but was also a major assembly step:

20210210_221555.jpg (199.42 KiB) Viewed 172 times

There's some power cable management that needed to be done when attaching the motor underneath the cannon battery:

20210210_223711.jpg (288.81 KiB) Viewed 172 times

The upper rear deck was attached to the central AAA gun deck:

20210210_224252.jpg (185.61 KiB) Viewed 172 times

It sure is getting messy down there.

#93 - When I see only one part like this being given, it can only mean one thing: hand cramps. This is the power regulation box for the central deck:

20210210_231841.jpg (398.03 KiB) Viewed 171 times

Through much micro maneuvering, most of the power cables encountered so far were hooked up to this box, and the instructions made it clear how the box should be oriented and where each cable goes:

20210210_235646.jpg (406.06 KiB) Viewed 171 times

Again, the challenge was finding a proper grip in securing the cables without breaking anything above the deck. Connections ports 2,4,5,and 13 were left open for now.

#94 gives another power junction box for much later I reckon. It also gives a replacement part for the center shock cannon battery. From what I can understand, this replacement part, the base of the cannon battery, will make rotation easier when the model is powered up. Frankly, I could not see the difference between the old base and the replacement, but I made the switch anyways:

20210211_003802.jpg (283.02 KiB) Viewed 168 times

The big part of this step though is testing the lighting and motors installed in the central deck. The motors tested regulated the swiveling motion of the AAA guns and the rotation and elevation of the central cannon batteries. The lights tested involved the illumination of the tower/main bridge, the signal lights on the smokestack, and the cannon rangefinders. I'm happy to say all the lights and motors are working like they should:

20210211_011915.jpg (379.92 KiB) Viewed 168 times

I did find some light bleed at the base of the tower assembly though, so I'll have to find a way to block it.

Those are all the issues I got for now, but the finish line is in sight!

[Mark]

This is looking really impressive!!

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

This is looking really impressive!!

Yeah, Hachette made the mother of all Space Yamatos with this one!

I completely forgot another box I stashed away with more issues, so here it goes-

#95 was another electrical testing step, but also gave new parts:

20210215_191100.jpg (209 KiB) Viewed 79 times

The power junction box from #94 was installed. I went against the instructions here and connected the wires to their respective ports before screwing the junction box inside the central hull section. Doing so gave me room to coerce the wires to where they needed to go:

20210215_211923.jpg (192.71 KiB) Viewed 79 times

Using a switchbox from issue #35, more lighting was tested around the central hull. The motors for the torpedo tube doors assembled from #58 and #65, and also the motor for lowering the walkway from #75 were tested. Everything seems to be working so far.

20210215_212936.jpg (350.82 KiB) Viewed 79 times

After the testing, I secured the junction box inside the hull:

20210215_234754.jpg (182.81 KiB) Viewed 79 times

A new motor for rotating the rear shock cannon battery was installed:

20210215_235611.jpg (194.33 KiB) Viewed 79 times

The Yamato has small Cosmo Tiger starfighters at its command which eject from a bay near the rear of the ship. Four of these fighters were assembled:

20210216_001214.jpg (199.8 KiB) Viewed 79 times

For being mass produced at 1/350 scale, these were painted nicely.

#96 - Another power junction box and more testing:

20210216_010738.jpg (344 KiB) Viewed 78 times

This junction box is for the rear of the ship. Again, I attached the wires to the box first before screwing it to the underside of the rear deck:

20210216_012951.jpg (245.58 KiB) Viewed 78 times

Lighting for the rear deck was tested, as well as the elevation of the rear cannon batteries:

20210216_013300.jpg (251.17 KiB) Viewed 78 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#97 was a big step in terms of cleaning up, with few new parts:

20210216_142755.jpg (413.28 KiB) Viewed 64 times

The motor from #89 was finally mounted, securing the smaller cannon battery in place:

20210216_144203.jpg (354.16 KiB) Viewed 64 times

A new LED power module was installed. I had to make sure the cluster of "ACL" and "SL" optic cables were diverted to the right of the module:

20210216_145025.jpg (442.35 KiB) Viewed 64 times

All the cavities of the LED module were filled in:

20210216_162750.jpg (408.29 KiB) Viewed 64 times

A new LED module meant another testing session, this time for deck lights and the lights in the main antenna array:

20210216_163215.jpg (446.27 KiB) Viewed 64 times

Another squadron of four Cosmo Tiger fighters was assembled.

#98 didn't have a lot going on:

20210216_171543.jpg (391.53 KiB) Viewed 64 times

With some parts left over for later, a panel for the rear hull was assembled, a bay door was glued together, and the main power cable was put together:

20210216_173207.jpg (398.41 KiB) Viewed 64 times

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

#99 gives more pieces for the rear of the ship for both the interior and exterior:

20210216_175059.jpg (347.15 KiB) Viewed 60 times

The last cross section of the ship takes form:

20210216_180700.jpg (149.27 KiB) Viewed 60 times

Pairs of the previously assembled fighters are secured onto pads:

20210216_181310.jpg (138.01 KiB) Viewed 60 times

Four more fighters were assembled, and the shaft where all the fighter pads will be attached to was partially assembled:

20210216_183509.jpg (188.34 KiB) Viewed 60 times

That's it for now, I reckon the next batch of photos will be the last.